Williams and Farmer mention 'jobs' often as they file to run for new ones

(WITHVIDEO) FRANKFORT — Kentucky Senate President David Williams and Commissioner of Agriculture Richie Farmer frequently used the words jobs and “job creation” as they officially entered the Republican primary for governor and lieutenant governor.

Williams and Farmer, with their families and several GOP lawmakers in tow, turned in their paperwork at the Secretary of State’s office Tuesday morning.

Afterward, the running mates took questions from reporters and repeatedly mentioned job creation in their answers — a clear hint that the GOP ticket plans to make that an overarching theme in this year’s governor’s race.

With the state’s unemployment rate hovering around 10% for months, Williams highlighted the need for jobs.

That comes as Democratic incumbent Gov. Steve Beshear has stressed in the early days of the campaign some of his administration’s economic development wins the expansion or relocation of companies that have brought jobs to the state.

Williams and Farmer are expecting to face the duo of Louisville businessman Phil Moffett and state Rep. Mike Harmon of Boyle County in the Republican primary. Moffett and Harmon have been campaigning and raising money but have not officially filed yet. The candidate filing deadline in Jan. 25.

An independent slate of Gatewood Galbraith and Dea Riley have been campaigning as well. And on the Democratic side, Gov. Steve Beshear is running for re-election with the former Louisville mayor, Jerry Abramson.

Williams in recent weeks has offered a sharp critique of Beshear’s leadership, often referring to him as a “caretaker governor.”

Farmer, however, took a pass on that, saying he didn’t have anything bad to say about the governor.

He also said that he and Williams shared a general vision for Kentucky, including on “job creation.”

He said the would also like to try to “promote the positive things that Kentucky has to offer.”
Farmer added “Kentucky has so many things to offer. There’s so many talented people here in this state and I don’t think that we do a good enough job of promoting these things.”